Activity

For myself, the meaning of focus time is time spent intentionally concentrating specifically on goals and tasks related to the achievement of a particular goal, be it small or big. The benefits I can see to clearing more focus time for myself is that I can identify more intentional, specific and meaningful actions than I am currently taking towards my goals. I can also use this time to identify and prioritize actions that I may be subconsciously avoiding due to limiting beliefs. This is an area I am absolutely going to take intentional action towards strengthening. Currently, I’d rate my proficiency at focus time at a 5 out of 10.

Play time instantly brings up resistance for me. I see play time as unnecessary, distracting and extraneous. Almost a waste of time, like its not growing me or it has no meaningful use. But at the same time, seeing play time described in the healthy mind platter as a time to be spontaneous and creative brings about a desire to explore it further for myself. I used to really enjoy creative writing class as a child. I felt I was good at it, got a lot of praise from my teachers and I enjoyed creating stories. I’ve fallen way out of touch with that part of myself. One night, instead of reading to the kids, my wife would make up stories and my kids absolutely loved it. So when I would put them to bed, they wanted me to do the same thing. And I did… but I really struggled with it and I would end the story quickly out of a lack of creativity or judgment against my story…. There are a few potential benefits I can see to changing my relationship with play time. Connection being one of them. With my kids, my wife. In developing friendships and interests. I could explore my innate creative side, maybe even in an attempt to connect with, and heal, my inner child but also to inject creativity into my process and my life to see where it can take me. Develop my curiousity…. I’m a 1 out of 10 currently as far as play time is concerned.

When I think of connecting time, I see a lot of growth in myself. I also see a lot of untapped potential. To me, it means acting in ways that honor the connection between all living beings. But, even still, I tend to avoid connecting time or I reserve it only for certain people. The benefit here is that I can use this time to intentionally drop from my head to my heart and demonstrate my Self or myself as a loving presence or a loving mirror. I can also see myself reflected back to me in these times of connection to see more clearly, without judgment, what still needs my attention and compassion. It’s a little hard to rate myself here but I’m going to go with a 6 out of 10.

Physical time is another area of growth. I see it as an opportunity to release comparison and shame in my body and my identification with my body while honoring that it is through my body that I experience life and that I grow from these experiences. Benefits include, as Bev mentioned, a connection with my mental health. Its through healing my mental health that physical time became a priority for me and now its becoming an essential part of keeping myself mentally strong. It brings about a sense of accomplishment and worth as well as having played a role in me quitting my depression medication. Another benefit I see is that the physical health changes that result from physical time serve almost as a physical manifestation or reflection of the inner work that I do. This used to be a 1 out of 10 for me. Its easily a 7 now.

Looooove time in. Could definitely relate with Bev when she said it was almost natural and I too have always been incredibly introspective and, (my words not hers), introverted. This is time I use to reflect, to question, to calm myself, to breathe deeply, to meditate, to read, to act mindfully and its time that I try to find wherever I can, even during times such as when I’m in the gym during physical time or during times where I’m connecting with others. For me, I want all time to be time in. The benefit for me is that this is where I’m connected to self and purpose. This is where I find my meaning. This is where I know I’m forgiven. I know I’m enough in these times. I am worthy and whole in time in…. Think I’d rate myself a 9 or 10 here.

Down time confuses me a little. I would’ve considered this as time in. Or perhaps that’s just what I naturally do with down time. Turn it into time in. When I think of down time, I usually associate it with my job which is stressful at times but not overly busy and as such I have a lot of time where I have nothing to do. I fill this time with learning new courses, reading, sometimes even meditating. Basically time in. Not even sure to rate myself here but since I don’t see a lot of difference between this and time in, guess I’ll rate myself a 9 again.

Sleep time. As much as possible please. I used to be a horrible sleeper and shift work didn’t help things. After a months and years long period of insomnia that culminated in an average of 1.5 hours of sleep per day for 12 days, I went on a prescription sleeping pill that I’ve been on ever since. Don’t even want to try sleeping without it. I make it a point to get at least 8 hours every night (or day) and am usually in bed no later than 1030. The biggest benefit I see is the mental rest that comes from not being constantly engaged with my senses, which is a huge benefit as far as I’m concerned and worth making sleep time a priority. I’d rate myself a 7 or 8.